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Shopping Guide for Best Angle Grinders

A good angle grinder is an indispensable addition to any home toolbox. They are very affordable, and can tackle a whole host of home, garden, and other DIY tasks.

At first glance they're a fairly uncomplicated tool, so making a choice should be easy. Think again – a quick scan of tool catalogs and websites reveals a huge selection.

It's made all the more difficult when some of the differences seem relatively small. Are they important? Will ignoring a particular detail turn out to be an expensive mistake?

Answering these kinds of buyer questions is why BestReviews was created!

It's our job to put these tools through their paces, identify their strengths and weaknesses, and give you the results you need to make an informed decision.

You can trust us because we're independent. We never accept manufacturer samples. We spend our own money, and we buy the same off-the-shelf product you would.

Then it's back to the BestReviews labs for thorough testing.

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If it needs to be buffed, cut, shaped or abraded, there's a good chance an angle grinder can do the job.

We also talk to trade experts, to make sure we didn't miss anything.

Then we review customer feedback, so we can assess performance after hundreds of hours of real-world use.

The five angle grinders above satisfy a wide range of requirements. We're convinced one of them will be the perfect tool for just about every demand.

For those who'd like a more detailed explanation of how to choose an angle grinder we've compiled the following report.

A 4 ½” angle grinder is more than sufficient size for most household tasks.

Staff

BestReviews

What Is An Angle Grinder?

In essence, this is a very simple tool. A power source (usually an electric motor) drives a set of gears, which in turn rotate the head. The head is situated at a 90 degree angle to the motor. A wheel is clamped to this head via a threaded retaining ring. There's a safety guard that usually covers the rear half of the disk. This can often be rotated, to change the spark/debris path.

The users grips the main body, with additional control offered by a side handle (mountable on the left or right). A switch or trigger operates the grinder, sending power to rotate the wheel. There's usually a lock button for the trigger, so you don't have to keep your finger on it all the time.

A spindle lock prevents movement when changing wheels.

In auto body shops and metalworking shops, the power source is often compressed air. These businesses have several compressed air tools, so it's a viable solution. That’s not usually the case at home. Tools sold by DIY stores are almost invariably electric, though they may be corded or cordless.

What gives the angle grinder its tremendous versatility is the variety of different wheels and other gadgets you can attach.

DID YOU KNOW?

Most angle grinders come with a detachable side handle. Leave it on until you've gotten comfortable with the tool.

Angle grinders can throw sparks or debris over considerable distances, so be aware of what's around you.

Angle Grinder Performance

Two factors determine the capability of your angle grinder:

Wheel Size

Motor Power

Sizes given for angle grinders indicate the maximum wheel diameter they can take.

There are some very powerful, heavy-duty angle grinders in the 7" to 9" range, but they are beyond what most home users need.

For DIY tasks, a 4 ½" angle grinder is more than enough. It's by far the most common tool available. Some, slightly confusingly, are called 4 ½” 5”, which tells you they'll also take a 5" disk. Though a few of these models are available, it's the 4 ½” wheel size that's important. In our view there's neither benefit nor disadvantage to the multi-size model.

In terms of power, you'll see any combination of horsepower, amps, watts and rpm.

EXPERT TIP

Vibration can become uncomfortable after a while, and can make your hands numb. If this happens, take a break until your circulation has returned to normal.

Staff |
BestReviews

Horsepower (hp) is usually only shown for larger angle grinders. A top-rated 9" model can generate 5 hp or more, which is a fearsome figure for a hand-held tool. To give you a rough comparison, that's the same as a big gas lawnmower.

Amps is the measure generally used with 4 ½” angle grinders. Technically, amperage tells you the electrical load on the motor, but for our purposes you can look at it more simply: the more amps, the more power you've got. DIY angle grinders start at about 4 amps, though we suggest 6 amps as a useful minimum. Anything above 10 amps is a very powerful tool – as much as most people will ever need.

Wattage is not often shown. Though different from amps, it can still be considered as a rating of the motor's power output. Again, it's a case of more is better.

RPM is the rotational speed of the wheel. There are notable differences between large and small angle grinders. A 9" model will typically have a maximum rpm of 6,000 to 7,000. A 4 ½” tool will run at 9,000 rpm or more.

Though not every task demands outright speed, in most cases it does mean getting the job done quicker!

FOR YOUR SAFETY

Both the angle grinders and the work it’s performing generate a lot of noise. Always wear ear protection.

Angle Grinder Considerations

Considerations

Corded vs. Cordless

The corded or cordless debate has been going on for years, and is likely to carry on a while yet! However, an angle grinder has some very specific power demands, which have a direct impact on your choice.

An angle grinder builds speed very quickly. To do this, it draws a lot of current. If you're plugged into the household electrical system, that's not a problem, but that initial surge is very draining on a battery.

Once up to speed – and it only takes a few seconds – the power demand drops. While you're actually working, there's little contrast between the power demands of the two types. However, every time you stop and re-start work, the battery takes that big hit again.

When you look at performance figures for cordless angle grinders, you'll often see similar numbers to their corded counterparts. In use, however, cordless angle grinders are frequently criticized for short battery life.

If you need to work where there's no mains power, or where a cable would be a severe hindrance, a high-end, cordless angle grinder is a workable solution, but a spare battery is a must.

DID YOU KNOW?

A cordless angle grinder can be very convenient, but constant re-starting will drain the battery quickly.

Considerations

Weight

A 9" angle grinder packs a tremendous amount of power, but it’s also heavy: 12 to 16 pounds is common. This is another reason they're really only a tool for pros.

The 4 ½” models are much more manageable, usually between four and five pounds. Any lighter than this, and there's a danger that fragile components have been used. It's good to have some weight, because it helps balance and steady the tool.

Considerations

Case

A case isn't a necessity, but it's a nice option.

EXPERT TIP

Working with concrete, masonry or tile produces a lot of dust. Where practical, work outside. And don't wear your Sunday best!

Staff |
BestReviews

Considerations

Housing Size

Angle grinder size can vary by a couple of inches in length, but it doesn't have much impact. However, some have more slender motor housings, which is of benefit to those who have small hands.

Considerations

Soft Start

As we've said, angle grinders start fast. They can generate considerable kickback, which causes them to jerk in your hand when you pull the trigger. Soft start features are designed to reduce that motion.

If your angle grinder sounds odd, stop immediately. Try running it without a wheel. If the wheel is at fault, throw it away. They usually cost less than a couple of bucks each. It's not worth using one that could put you in danger.

Considerations

Safety Lock

Some angle grinders have a lock-out button or switch, to prevent them being started accidentally.

Considerations

Metal Gears

On some cheap angle grinders, the gears are nylon or hard plastic. A lot of power is transmitted through these components, so metal gears are recommended.

Considerations

Dust Protection

A lot of angle grinder breakdowns are caused by dust and debris getting into the gears or motor. The best models have systems to prevent this.

In theory, the largest depth of cut you can make is half the diameter of the wheel. However, the securing ring has to be taken into account. The practical maximum for a 4 ½” angle grinder will be around two inches.

Staff

BestReviews

Angle Grinder Wheels

An enormous range of different angle grinder attachments is available, from diamond-encrusted wheels for cutting tile, to lambswool bonnets for polishing auto paintwork, and chainsaw-like devices for carving wood.

It's vital to use the right wheel for the job. Steel grinding wheels clog in stone. Stone cutting wheels probably won't put a scratch on a metal bolt. You won't save money, and a shattered wheel could cause you serious injury.

DID YOU KNOW?

Whether you’re removing rust, polishing metal, or cutting concrete, it’s important to use the right wheel on an angle grinder for the job.

What Does A Good Angle Grinder Cost?

Entry-level, 4 ½” models from reputable manufacturers can be found for as little as $25 ⸺ so it's possible to buy a cheap angle grinder and still get a good, reliable tool.

Price goes up pretty much in line with power, but you can still get a top DIY angle grinder for around $100.

If you want cordless, there's quite a premium. A cased kit with spare battery and charger will be $300 or more. To be fair, if you have a number of cordless tools from the same manufacturer, batteries may be interchangeable.

Pro tools – the 7" and 9" angle grinders – cost around $250.

EXPERT TIP

If a cordless angle grinder seems cheap, check to see if it's a "bare tool." This means it comes without a battery, so you need to factor one into the price.

Staff |
BestReviews

Angle Grinder Safety

An angle grinder is probably the most powerful handheld tool you'll own. A cutting wheel rotating at 10,000 rpm can do a lot of damage, so you need to be careful.

Always wear goggles.

Wear ear defenders.

Wear a face mask.

Wear gloves.

Make sure you have a firm grip, and beware of kickback when you start.

Whenever possible, use the auxiliary handle as well as holding the body.

Think about the debris and spark path before you start work.

Never remove the guard.

Always make sure the disk has come to a complete stop before putting the angle grinder down.

Always unplug the tool when changing disks.

Check that the new disk is tightened properly.

Never use a chipped or cracked disk.

If possible, familiarize yourself with the action by trying a test piece before committing to the “real” job.

Tips

For precise cutting, consider an angle grinder stand.

The only maintenance an angle grinder normally needs is a wipe down after use. You should always check manufacturer’s instructions, though.

Make sure whatever you're working on is securely clamped. An angle grinder's wheel speed can easily dislodge or even throw your workpiece.

Never start the angle grinder with the wheel resting on the workpiece. It can induce severe kickback.

Amos

Creative Producer

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Writer

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At BestReviews, we purchase every product we review with our own funds. We never accept anything from product manufacturers. Our goal is to be 100% objective in our analysis, and we do not want to run the risk of being swayed by products provided at no cost.